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CHAPTER XIII

ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT ADAMS

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PON the resignation of President White, there was earnest consideration both on the part of the faculty and of the alumni, respecting the choice of his successor. The alumni in New York presented the name of an eminent president of one of the greatest schools of technology in America; others earnestly advocated the election of a president of a great western university, a man of wide experience as a teacher and educator, and in diplomatic life. The choice of the retiring president was his former pupil, Mr. Charles Kendall Adams, of the University of Michigan, his successor in the department of history in that institution. Professor Adams had delivered several courses of lectures upon history here during the absence of President White, and was, therefore, well known to the local Board of Trustees. His experience as an educator and influential guide upon educational questions in the university with which he was connected, a soundness and calmness of judgment upon educational questions, commended him to those who were familiar with his life.

Professor Adams was born in Derby, Vt., in 1835. He graduated at the University of Michigan in 1861, and was, for a time, assistant professor of Latin in that university. He was elected assistant professor of history in 1863, and professor in 1865. Professor Adams was a scholar of great industry, careful and systematic in his work; without imagination, he mastered by assiduous study the authorities in his de

partment, and presented clearly the results of historical investigation. A teacher, orderly in his methods, he had instituted a department of recognized merit, and of valuable work. A certain sobriety of judgment won respect and confidence. In an elaborate discussion of the qualities required in his successor, exPresident White expressed his views to the trustees with great energy and positiveness. In accordance therewith, at a special meeting of the Board held on July 13, Dr. Charles Kendall Adams was elected president of the university, and was formally inaugurated on the 19th of November, 1885.

President Adams brought to the university an experience of great value as an educator. He had been an attentive student of the various questions discussed in connection with higher learning, to the solution of which he had himself contributed. A man of great industry and method in his work, he brought to the duties of his position certain qualities that were greatly needed, and of high value.

The university had at this time passed through a period of great depression, and stood upon the threshold of a larger future. Opportunities were thus presented to President Adams, which had not been enjoyed by his predecessor. Dr. White had a vision of the promised future, but it was reserved for his successor to enter the promised land.

President Adams's immediate interest was felt in his personal devotion to the work of his position. A president's office was established in one of the university buildings where the president was accessible both by faculty and students at certain definite times, a feature of administration adding greatly to the efficiency of the office.

Under President Adams's wise direction the whole arrangement of the bureau of administration con

nected with the executive office was remodeled and improved. President Adams was a most laborious and conscientious executive officer, giving attention to every interest which affected the university, of practical and experienced judgment; and it was at once felt that every detail of business received at once immediate and adequate attention. Several extremely favorable features were introduced soon after his accession in university administration, which made the faculty feel that there was an intelligent and sympathetic interest on the part of the presiding officer, not only with all questions of higher learning, but also with the individual interest of every professor. The system of granting a leave of absence to members of the faculty after six years of service for purposes of travel and investigation was a valuable feature of the new administration. The salaries of professors were raised, so that they were more worthy of a university of high standing and influence. All these measures commended themselves to the faculty and contributed to give confidence in the new administration. The period which followed since 1885 was one of uniform prosperity and growth. The presence at all times of a responsible presiding officer, and confidence in a uniform and judicious administration of affairs, contributed to give stability and unity to the progress of the university. Among the important events connected with President Adams's administration from 1885 to 1892, may be mentioned the establishment of the law school, the erection of the chemical laboratory and of the Sage Library, of Lincoln Hall for the departments of architecture and civil engineering, of Barnes Hall, and the enlargement of the Armory, the establishment of the new President White School of History and Political Science, of the State Meteorological Station, and the department of archæology and the clas

sical museum, the gift of the White Library, and the institution of the University Senate.

THE UNIVERSITY SENATE

At a meeting of the executive committee held October 30, 1889, it was provided that in the case of the appointment of a full professor of the university, no election shall be made except upon the nomination of the candidate by a committee composed of the president and all the full professors of the university. On November 4, 1889, it was provided that the professors thus organized should constitute a body to be known as the Academic Senate. On November 12, the name Academic Senate was changed to University Senate. On December 2, a formal statute was enacted, as follows:

"1. The University Senate shall consist of the president of the university and all the full professors.

"2. It shall be the duty of the senate to counsel and advise in regard to all nominations for professorships; to consider and make recommendations in regard to such courses of study as may pertain to more than one faculty of the university; and, in general, to consider and make recommendations upon any question of university policy that may be submitted to this body by the trustees, or the president, or either of the faculties.

"3. The meetings of the senate may be called by the president, or by the secretary upon the written application of any five members; and at such meetings the president, or in his absence the dean of the general faculty, shall preside. The senate shall have a secretary whose duty it shall be to keep a record of proceedings, and call all meetings under the direction of the proper authority."

It was also ordered that on the reception from the

president of any nomination for a full professorship, "the senate, after proper deliberation, shall vote by ballot yea or nay upon the recommendation; and their action, with any reasons for it which the senate may see fit to submit, shall be certified to the Board of Trustees."

On June 18, 1890, the statute regarding the senate was further modified by making it the duty of the president whenever a full professorship was to be filled to nominate to the senate the person whom he shall consider most worthy to occupy the vacancy. The change thus made provided simply that the president should take the initiative in all nominations, such action in the original form of the statute having been overlooked.

On October 22, 1890, the constitution of the senate was changed by the following statute of the Board of Trustees:

Resolved, That whenever any full professorship is to be filled, the president of the university shall, upon request of the Board of Trustees or of the executive committee, seek diligently and to the best of his ability, bearing in mind the provision of the fundamental charter of this university, which forbids him to take cognizance of any political or religious views which any candidate may or may not hold, nominate to the senate the person whom he shall consider most worthy to occupy the vacancy to be filled; thereupon the senate, after proper deliberation, shall vote by ballot yea or nay upon the recommendation; and their action with any reasons for it which the senate may see fit to submit, shall be certified to the Board of Trustees, who shall then confirm or reject such nomination. Said confirmation or rejection shall be by ballot, said ballot to be not by a single open vote cast by any one person, but by the ballots of all present and voting."

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